Correct RR
The backpack helicopter N. Melnik (Miller) and A. Svetikas
The story as I understand it:
These two gentlemen had built in 1959 - 1961 two ultralight helicopters.
They now (1961) designed and built their own even lighter helicopter, using a water-cooled Wankel engine that they apparently designed and built on their own. They fine-tuned the engine for 50 hours at 800 - 900 rpm. The test-bench study showed that it developed 30 hp (22 kW) at 17,000 rpm.
The experienced test pilot, Mr Svetikas, weighing 92 kg, strapped the helicopter on his back and stood on a tractor frame in a tractor shed, (which was his shop) and started the engine, holding strongly on the tractor. Then he increased the pitch angle of the rotor and the rpm. Suddenly, the pilot took off. Fuel tank and helicopter engine hit the ceiling of the shop, at height of five feet. One rotor blade broke off. Small propellers collapsed and fell on the Svetikas' shop floor.
The story ends, as it should, with a moral:
Fortunately, all went well, although the designers of the helicopter test grossly violated safety rules. The test should have been on a leash, on a flat open area.
Over to you RR
Edit to say RR has requested
Open House